Shane EvansCabrini’s dance team kicked off its first practice on Sunday, Sept. 17, beginning a new season. Though they don’t debut until the end of October, they eagerly anticipate getting out there and showing Cabrini what they’ve got.
According to the team’s two captains, senior finance major Christine McLaughlin and junior marketing major Alyssa DiPietro, the team lost some members due to graduation and transfers.
The team consists of 23 dancers, the majority of whom are new recruits. This, however, does not faze them.
“The girls already look great and we just started!” DiPietro said.
The new recruits were judged on personality, technique and over-all performance.
Each person had two chances and they were settled on by a team of three judges. According to the captains, though previous dance experience is helpful, it is not necessary when being judged.
The team will be practicing more and more as its debut draws nearer. In the meantime, they are working on a fresh style.
“We’re changing it up,” McLaughlin said. “Alyssa and I are trying to gear more towards hip-hop than jazz.”
Other changes included change in costumes and music choice.
“I think people will like the flavor we added,” Deborah Alberici, a senior early childhood education major, said.
The main focus of Cabrini’s dance team is to enhance spirit and support from the fans. They’re looking forward to putting new dances together, working with the new members and just going out there and pleasing the crowd.
The team can be found practicing inside the aerobics room of the Dixon Center on Sundays and Thursdays. Students also had a chance to see them dancing with the Phillie Phanatic on Tuesday, Sept. 19 during Student Activities Night at Citizens Bank Park.
Right now, they are preparing for their debut at Midnight Madness on Friday, Oct. 27 and they encourage fans to come out and see them.
According to Alberici, “They’re in for a treat!”
